PROGRESS OF THE WAR

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3163, 15 August 1917, Page 4

PROGRESS OF THE WAR

In some respects tbo state of affairs in the land theatres is still, as it has been for somo time past, rather vaguely defined. But in so far as it is disclosed it presents somo peculiar features. Perhaps the strangest feature of all is that whilo tho enemy is imminently threatened in tho Western theatre ho is staking heavily upon an offensive in Rumania, a theatre in which ho is fighting not without some hope of profit, but with very little prospect of reaching results of decisive importance. According to M.' Marcel Hutin, who is usually particularly well informed in such matters, Mackensen's armies on tho llumanian front have' been reinforced with twenty-seven divisions, fourteen of them German. M. Hutin is of opinion that Mackensen intends to strike an "overwhelming batteringram blow" against the Russo-Ru-manians now opposing his progress in Moldavia. Taking account of tho detail news available to-day, it must bo assumed that if the enemy has made his preparations on the scale stated the Allied occupation of Moldavia is very gravely, threatened. On the other hand, if unoffioial reports which describe existing conditions in Flanders arc to bo trusted, the stage is set in that area for a greater battle than the war lias yet witnessed, and the question arises whether tho enemy is not using in a secondary enterprise forces which are urgently needed iu tho decisive theatro of the war. As matters 'are shaping in Moldavia it is not to be denied that tho enemy lias prospects of completing his invasion of Rumania, and perhaps of making some headway on tho road to Odessa. But the developments reported iu Flanders are infinitely more important, and suggest that the enemy's whole defensive scheme in tho Western theatre may presently bo subjected to a searching test. It is stated that the concentrations of guns far outweigh those of Verdun and tho Sonime, and that the numbers of troops aro tho,greatest ever gathered in any battlefield.

It is commonly agreed that the Allies are not likely to attempt to force a decision this autumn, but they are as far as possible from being restricted to a passive policy in the Western theatre, and tli'o enemy's prospects of maintaining an effective defence in that theatre aro certainly not improved by tho diversion of strength involved in his Rumanian offensive. The superiority of the Western Allies in artillery and, iu aircraft has been so fully demonstrated that it calls for

little remark. It is equally to the point that they have established a very great numerical superiority over the enemy. Exact particulars of the strength available on either side are withheld, but available information makes it quite clear that the Germans are heavily outnumbered in the Western theatre as well as definitely outclassed in artillery and aircraft. At the beginning of April, according to information which is said to have been obtained from Entente official sources, the total number of German divisions in existence was 219. Of these 143, lor about 1,700,000 men (it is computed that the average German division now consists of a combatant forcc oi from 10,000 to 12,000 men), were on the West front, and 76, or about 900,000 men, on the Russian, Rumanian, and Macedonian fronts. So long as Russia remains in the war it is not easy to see bow Germany can, by the utmost exertions, mass moro than two million men in the Western theatre. With an aggressive campaign in Eastern Europe on her bands, her maximum possible concentration in the West may fall considerably short of that total.

As to the Allied strength, wo have statements lately made by members of the Anglo-French missions in tho United States, which show that tho Allied armies in the Western theatre outnumber the enemy by between two and thrco to one. Last week M. Andre Tardieu, a member of the French mission, was quoted as stating that Franco now has three million men in the fighting zone, and also many thousands of men in training, and Lord Northci,iffe stated in America a few weeks ago that Britain is maintaining armies aggregating 2,200,000 men on the West front, apart from her armies in Egypt, other parts of Africa, Mesopotamia, Palestine, and tho Balkans. "The word 'maintain,' " Loud Nobthcliffk remarked, "means that wc keep that huge mass of men up to fighting strength, constantly replacing the terrific drain of killed, wounded, and sick." It is not quite clear whether Lord j Northcliffe included tho overseas armies which aro fighting in the ( Western theatre in tho total of j 2,200,000, but even if he did it i would seem that tho Allied strength j is in tho ratio of more than five to | two to that of tho enemy. Tho Bel- j gian Army and small Portuguese j and Russian contingents to somo extent affect tho balance, and it will not bo long beforo the first American division takes its placo on tho fighting front. If Germany continues to concentrate upon the Eastern offensive it is quite possible that tho Western Allies may find themselves in a numerical superiority of thrco to one beforo the year is out. Tho Allies aro not likely to attempt to forco a decision this year, but all things considered tlicy aro well placed to effectively counter any effort Germany may make to improve her position by action in Eastern Europe. 1 * . * * *

It is nevertheless clear that tho immediate position on the Runmnian front is exceedingly critical. Ino Russo-Rumanian armies are resisting stubbornly, but thus far tlioy have only delayed tho enemy s progress, and havo not succecdcd in bringing him to a halt. The withdrawal of the Rumanian Court and Government from Jassy (in Eastern Moldavia) may be merely a precaution, but is not an encouraging portent. In Southern Moldavia the encmy appears to bo now in full possession of a short cross-country lino connecting the two main railways bv which tho Allied armies are supplied. This not only breaks a convenient railway circlc which until recently supported tho Russo-Ru-manian front, but imperils tho Allied forces in the mountain country of Western Moldavia and south-east of tho present fighting area, towards the Danube. The danger is also in sight that the enemy may advanoo through tho river valleys of Northern Moldavia to an attack upon the Allied communications in that quarter. „

Strenuous attempts havo been made of late by neutral countries which are near neighbours of bernianv to secure some relaxation ot the American embargo provisions I which are expected to round off tho efficiency of tho Allied blockade ot Central Europo. It is announced today that tho neutral countries concerned have failed to substantiate their claims that they are not supplying Germany, and that tho state Department has decided to imposo definite limits on their imports from the United States. Ample evidence has been supplied that this policy is necessary to tho efficiency of tho Allied blockade. The facts by which the United States found itself faced on entering the war are briefly summed up in the following statement recently issued by the_ Rational Wholesale Grocers' Association:— Tho Republic of Switzerland, with which WD havo always been friendly, and which is classed as a neutral-nation, exported into Germany, in 191*3. .£2,200,000 in merchandise, whereas in 1914 slib exported to Germany iElflfl.OOO. Our exports to Switzerland, from July to February in the fiscal year, totalled .£2,799,200, against i£lo9,(ioo for the same period in 1914. This merely is one concrete example of what becomes of our supplies. Similar figures can bo given in the case of Denmark and Sweden. It is, therefore, our duty to ourselves and as a step toward the ending of the war that wo supply no foodstuffs to neutral nations.